By John Ikani
Malians have given their approval to changes in the constitution, marking a significant step towards the military rulers’ promise of returning the nation to civilian rule and conducting elections.
According to the country’s electoral authority, an overwhelming 97 percent of the votes were cast in favor of the proposed changes.
Head of the electoral commission, Moustapha Cisse, announced the results in the capital city of Bamako, revealing that the voter turnout for Sunday’s referendum stood at 39.4 percent among the 8.4 million registered voters.
The figures indicate a substantial participation despite the challenges faced during the voting process.
The new constitution, drafted by the transitional council, includes several controversial clauses that have sparked debates among proponents and opponents.
Supporters argue that these changes will bolster the country’s fragile political institutions, while critics express concerns about the potential concentration of power in the presidency.
Under the approved constitutional amendments, the president will be granted the authority to “determine the policies of the nation,” a responsibility previously assigned to the government under the existing 1992 constitution.
Moreover, the president will have the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members, making the government directly accountable to the head of state rather than to the parliament as it stands now.
In addition, the revised constitution introduces provisions for amnesty to individuals involved in previous coups, aims to enhance oversight of public finances, and mandates that parliamentarians and senators declare their assets as part of an anti-corruption effort.
Despite the successful referendum, reports from poll observers highlighted various security incidents that occurred during the voting process.
Gunmen stormed polling centers in some villages, causing voters to flee for their safety and disrupting the operations while destroying election materials.
Notably, in regions of northern Mali controlled by armed groups associated with al-Qaeda and ISIS, limited voting took place due to the prevailing security situation.
The United Nations and regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) consider the referendum as a crucial test of the military government’s commitment to the transition process and its ability to uphold a comprehensive democratic exercise across the nation.
Mali has been under military rule since August 2020, following the ousting of elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita by army officers dissatisfied with the government’s handling of armed groups.
